Last week when Shaun Johnson was in the studio, we were discussing retirement. 

Not mine, but that’s of growing fascination to me these days. 

When do you know? If you aren't getting cancelled, or run out of town, or falling apart, how do you know? 

John Key famously had nothing left in the tank. 

Johnson was explaining it was important for him to go out when he decided, not when he was dropped. The TV stuff he now does was something he was interested in, but didn’t know how it would unfold. 

Johnson at 34 years old seemed young enough. 

I look at people like Tom Brady in his mid 40's. One more season, one more chance at greatness, and he goes out a hero with another Super Bowl win. 

I look at Aaron Rodgers, who has signed at Pittsburgh this year. He looks like he has gone a season too long. He looks like he is looking for work, when he should really be looking for life after football. Maybe this season will make a fool of me, but I doubt it. 

But all of that pales in comparison when it comes to Nico Porteous. He is walking away from his snow sports career at 23 years old. 

He doesn’t want to use the word retirement, but equally he won't be at the Olympics anymore. 

As our most successful ever snow sport athlete, it is over. He also doesn’t know what he is going to do, or what his future looks like. But he has enjoyed videos and production so maybe that’s a path. 

How do you decide that at 23 years old? 

How do you know that it's right? 

Who advises you? How do you know they're right? 

Having spent your entire life aiming for the one big thing, sporting excellence, how do you pull the cord when you have, if you want, years to go? 

Are you one of those people who can walk away from that level of exhilaration and success and not look back? Is now knowing what's next part of the thrill? 

Will you keep the scrapbook of memories? Will you tell your kids or grandkids about the halfpipe? Will they ask how come Dad can do flips on skis when they first go to Cardrona? 

What a big call with so much ahead of him. Or was what he did plenty? Is that a good way to see life? 

I admire him. Is he reckless? Could be. Maybe he is an insightful genius. Either way, I admire him. 

At 23 years old I would have tortured myself, and probably still wouldn’t have done what he has. 

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